Well, hate is too strong. I actually enjoy the activities — just don’t like doing them in Ohio Valley heat and humidity. Last summer, however, I discovered products that keep me cooler under the collar — literally.

Enduracool Instant Cooling Towels range from 12½ inches by 33 inches to 27½ by 55 inches. To activate their patented cooling fiber technology, you wet them, wring them out and snap them three times. (Tip: Make sure they’re thoroughly wet before you wring them. You’ll have dry spots if you just quickly run them under the tap.)

I took my family and Enduracool towels to last summer’s Forecastle Festival. My teen daughters thought they were the uncoolest fashion accessories ever. I also was uncool because I wanted to hear a grizzled old singer, but the heat was oppressive, and by the time Sir Robert Plant sang “Going to California,” my daughters thought my towels were pretty cool — literally and figuratively.

Still, I don’t want to oversell them. The manufacturer claims they’ll stay cool for hours, but you may need to rewet them every 20 minutes or so, especially if heat and humidity are high. And on a scale of one to 10, I’d rate the overall relief they provide at only 6.

Six, however, is much better than zero. If I’m doing something especially strenuous and sweaty, I put one around my neck and wear another as a headband.

They sell for $15 to $40 at Missionathletecare.com. You also can get them at such local stores as Lowe’s, where a clerk said they’re popular with construction workers.

I didn’t go to Forecastle this year — not many grizzled old guys in the lineup. (I wonder if my daughters consider Beck over the hill.) But you might see me at some other outdoor events before the summer ends. I’ll be easy to spot. I’ll be the uncool guy with a bunch of cool towels.